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Dottoré!

The Way To A Doctor’s Heart

Our Neapolitan psychiatrist ponders the meaning of professional recognition, and lasagna.

Photo of a hand holding a fork with a portion of lasagna

“Dottoré, I’ve made you something!”

Mariateresa Fichele

Money, awards, recognition, promotions — those don’t mean a thing to me.

The real reward for me comes when patients cook.

This lasagna that Francesco’s just brought me: He made it without ricotta cheese, because he remembered that I don’t like it.

As he steps in, I barely have time to register the delicious smell before I hear him exclaim: “Dottoré, I’ve made you something!”

This fills my heart with joy — before it fills my belly. That’s when I realize that, as a psychiatrist, I must be doing something right.

____________________________

Learn more about Worldcrunch's exclusive Dottoré! series here.

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Dottoré!

A Matter Of Mind And Heart — And Maybe Something Else

Our Naples-based psychiatrist talks one of her patients through the possible source of his wife's discontent.

silhouette of man and woman sitting on ottoman.
Etienne Boulanger/Unsplash
Mariateresa Fichele

Once a patient asked me:

"Dottoré, is it possible that men and women are born with the same brain, and then it becomes different with age?"

Keep reading...Show less
Support Worldcrunch
We are grateful for reader support to continue our unique mission of delivering in English the best international journalism, regardless of language or geography. Click here to contribute whatever you can. Merci!
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